Controversy in Xinjiang: Former Party Chief Under Investigation

The former Xinjiang party chief, Ma Xingrui, is under investigation for suspected violations of discipline and law. Ma, a member of China's Communist Party Central Committee, was replaced by Chen Xiaojiang last July. The investigation follows years of scrutiny over China's policies in Xinjiang.

The disciplinary body of China's Communist Party announced on Friday that it has launched an investigation into Ma Xingrui, the former party chief of Xinjiang, for suspected violations of discipline and the law. Ma Xingrui has held significant positions including a member of the party's Central Committee and the secretary of the Xinjiang region from 2021 to 2025.

The specific allegations against Ma remain unclear. His investigation comes in the wake of several senior officials being removed from power this year, including a major military general in January. Ma was succeeded by Chen Xiaojiang as the party chief of Xinjiang in July, amid international attention on the region's controversial policies.

Xinjiang has faced global scrutiny due to a campaign involving the detainment of a million or more ethnic Uyghurs and other minorities. Although China has claimed the closure of most detention centers by 2021 under Ma's leadership, reports suggest several sites converted to prison-like facilities, raising ongoing human rights concerns.

(With inputs from agencies.)